(OK, so this isn't the last chap, but chapter thirteen is, SO DON"T GET MAD AT ME, BECAUSE I WARNED YOU! ) (Enjoy!)
Pray
The one thing he was after, the one person he was going for; was set aside. The feelings he felt for Toph were strong, but his anger was stronger; like always.
His conscious was no longer set on redemption of his wrongdoings spiritually. He had to act quickly and fix everything he screwed up. He had to destroy the one thing that kept him going for two years of his life. He had to destroy his family; his Warriors.
It all came so quickly. He reached the village the girl spoke of. He found where his men had camped for weeks and also found the remains of burnt houses. He found still weeping mothers and wives; mourning over the loss of husbands and sons who no doubt tried to defend that one Fire Nation rebel… and lost their lives by doing so.
He found children roaming about the burnt area, searching for their families who had no doubt gone to hide in the woods or fled even further away.
He felt his anger grow threateningly large, so forth resulting in him tearing away his arm sling. He wouldn't use the arm, but it would look less weak if he kept it free from safe bounds.
Sokka knew not what he would do; how long he'd last. But he knew he had to try, even if it meant taking out but a few men and never seeing Toph. He had to take the chance. Had to pray to the Spirits to send him the strength of a badgermole and the wisdom of the Great Owl. He needed the compassion of the Moon spirit and her forgiveness as well.
He also needed to be able to set Toph away from his mind, so he would not become distracted. But that was hard to do, knowing he might not be able to apologize to her. Knowing he might just be leaving her to fall deeper into her sorrow and anger toward him.
And that scared him the most. If he didn't save her from her own feelings, she would loose herself; like he had. But this time she wouldn't have the second chance like he now did. He knew she wouldn't.
He carried on through the woods away from the chaotic village. His men's tracks were still fresh. He figured they weren't even a day ahead of him.
He now prayed to the Spirits to give him speed or bring something upon his men to slow them down.
He didn't know which was granted, but his wishes came true; because he soon came upon them in a small clearing; unprepared.
Sokka crouched in the bushes, sword at hand, silently praying for success.
He could hear Sashu yelling out orders to his men who were setting up the camp.
He had the advantage of catching them off guard, but even so; he wouldn't last terribly long with a crippled arm.
"Okay Yue, I know it's not night… but I could really use your help right now." He looked to the sky, up through the leaves. Hoping that through the sun's bright rays of light, the Moon spirit was watching over him.
He slowly rose, planning out what he was going to do. He knew if he thought anymore on it though, he'd change his mind about the whole thing. So, taking in a deep breathe, he boldly pushed out of the brush and into the camp.
It remained as busy and bustling as it had moments before, but finally, after a cruel long moment of standing, a Warrior noticed him.
Within seconds he was surrounded, so many familiar faces drawing weapons on him. They were all surprised though, to see him alive.
"I want Sashu," was all he said. "Put your weapons down you idiots." He spoke loudly for all the camp to hear. "You won't kill your leader."
"You aren't our leader anymore!" one sneered, he knew immediately by the tone of voice; that it was Hanu. Who, without a doubt, would kill him right on the spot if it weren't for the man who was now approaching.
"So the great Warrior lives." Sashu strode into the circle of men, towards Sokka. "I wasn't sure if I'd killed you or not. That was why I waited so long in the pathetic little village. When you never came I figured I truly had done the deed of end your miserable life."
Sokka didn't once flinch.
"But I suppose we're all wrong sometimes." Sashu shrugged as if it was nothing. "But I'll just have to kill you again I guess."
"I'll give you one more chance," Sokka spoke calmly, though inside he was a mess, about to collapse under the frightening tremors that ran through his body. "Stop what you're doing."
Sashu stood for a moment. Then laughed; which gave the men a reason to also.
So Sokka was surrounded my laughing men who mocked him with wicked sneers.
Sashu silenced them immediately, signaling for them to retreat. "You heard your leader; put you weapons down."
They didn't seem happy about doing as Sokka had commanded.
"Now!"
This time they did so, obeying their new master.
Sashu unsheathed his sword. "I took you out before; this time will be just as easy."
Sokka held his own sword up as well, ignoring the gazes that fell on his left hand, which hung limp at his side.
"It seems I've taken away your chance of winning." His opponent nodded to the arm.
"We'll see. First one to his knees loses."
Sashu laughed. "Oh? How about this; first one to die looses!" he ran forward, slashing out.
He slipped to the side, almost tripping his foe, who reeled back around; jabbing at his leg.
Sokka parried the attack.
The two swordsmen went at it; metal clanging against metal, never ceasing but a few seconds. Sparks flew into their faces momentarily creating a distraction on both sides.
The pulled apart, blinking several times.
The reunited again.
Sokka was slowly falling back. He raised his left hand to help his right, but reminded himself he couldn't do so, or it would severely damage him for good. He knew he would loose.
He was thrown backwards, slamming against the nearest trunk of a tree. He moaned, sliding to a seated position.
"Is that all you've got?" Sashu spat, pacing back and forth, waiting for him to rise. "You're pathetic!" he said angrily when he didn't.
Sokka rose to his feet and slipped to the side just in time to get away from his enemy's sword, which slid into the tree where he'd been sitting moments before.
Sashu jerked his weapon free swinging it around to strike again. But Sokka had pulled away far enough to elude it.
"Sashu, I'm warning you; stop now." He knew he still didn't stand a chance, but talking was all he could do.
"Why should I? You can't defeat me," he raised his sword, bringing it down hard upon his opponent's.
There was a sliding of metal, his hand was twisted and Sokka's weapon flew to the ground feet away.
Sashu pushed him to the ground, sword drawn back to strike.
There was a moment of shocked silence. So the master had been outwitted by his student; just as they all predicted.
"You'll die knowing you wasted your time looking for so called redemption. You should have stayed away Sokka."
He thought for a moment Sashu would pull away, would retreat and let him go. But that thought disappeared quickly because he knew this was no longer his friend. He would die now.
But that did not trouble him. What troubled him; was that now… Toph would never know. He couldn't let that happen.
He could feel the metal slide past the side of his neck as he slipped away to the left. It drew blood slightly from his ear, but he didn't care.
As he pulled up beside the weapon and its bearer, he grasped the hilt; jerking it free and turning it around.
Another shocked silence fallowed. Sokka didn't know what happened. He wasn't aware of exactly what was going on until Sashu's hand fell upon his shoulder.
He stared down into those cold, fear-filled eyes.
"I'm sorry," Sokka whispered, drawing Sashu's own sword out of his own chest and letting it fall to the ground.
One of the two was on his knees; holding the other in his arms. The one kneeling was Sokka and Sashu lay, bloodied and dying in his lap.
Silent words were being spoken between the two. Apologizes and regrets that only they could hear.
The dying man's hand gripped at his shirt, but it lost its strength eventually; dropping to the side.
Sokka laid Sashu on the ground, closing his eyes then rising to his feet; ignoring the tears and blood that covered his face.
"You're leader is dead." He declared, watching as the men all shrank away.
"Then… you're our new leader." Surprisingly, it was Hanu who stepped forward. Of all the men, he was the one that spoke for Sokka's favor. But somehow, he knew, Hanu wasn't doing him a favor.
"No," Sokka shook his head angrily, knowing this man was doomed to the same fate as Sashu. "There are no Warriors now. They are gone. You will leave. You will all return to your homes and pray the Spirits grant you peace. Because you were misled, they just might, but don't expect much." He turned to leave, but then stopped. "You will bury his body where he lies. You will throw away your weapons and burn your tents. There will be no trace of us left. You understand? None."
He then left his warriors; for the final time.
